Popular on Patch: Flu Outbreak Leads Adventist Hinsdale, La Grange Hospitals to Restrict Visitors

Those under the age of 18 and anyone with symptoms of the flu will not be allowed to visit patients until the flu increase passes, the hospital says.

Flu Outbreak Leads Adventist Hinsdale, La Grange Hospitals to Restrict Visitors

Those under the age of 18 and anyone with symptoms of the flu will not be allowed to visit patients until the flu increase passes, the hospital says.

The following is a release from Adventist Hinsdale Hospital and Adventist La Grange Memorial Hospital: Based on recommendations from the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, all four are Adventist Midwest Health hospitals, including Adventist Hinsdale Hospital and Adventist La Grange Memorial Hospital, are restricting visitors due to concerns about spreading the flu. “We are putting these changes into effect during this increase in influenza cases in order to keep our staff, patients and community safe,” regional vice president and chief nursing officer Shawn Tyrrell said. Effective immediately, the hospitals of Adventist Midwest Health have put the following guidelines in place: “We …

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Area Flu Cases Continue to Rise, Reach 'Intense' Levels

Chicago and its surrounding suburbs are seeing a steady rise in flu cases.

Area health agencies are reporting that this year's flu season is particularly intense.   According to the Cook County Department of Public Health the number of people experiencing influenza-like symptoms continues to increase in the suburbs. Those suffering from the illness are showing symptoms that are much more severe than in previous years.   Drug manufacturers have also been feeling the effects of the increased number of cases. The makers of Tamiflu, which slows down flu symptoms, reported a shortage of the drug, according to Reuters. The CDC is reporting that the Great Lakes region is the nation's hardest hit with about 60 percent of people checked for the flu testing positive.  Google's Flu Trends page classified the flu rate in …

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CDC Says the Season Is Here: Where to Get Flu Shots in Western Springs

Here's where to get an influenza vaccine, how to recognize symptoms and what to know about treatment if you get sick.

Flu season is coming early in parts of the United States: This time last year, flu cases were lower in Chicago than they are now, according to data on Google's Flu Trends. (Western Springs-specific data is not available on Flu Trends.) Overall in Illinois, activity is considered high now, while it was considered moderate at this time in 2011, according to Flu Trends. If you're considering getting a flu shot, here are some places in and around Western Springs that offer the vaccine (besides your own doctor, of course): More locations According to this week's CDC Flu activity report, influenza levels are on the increase across the country.  Five states—Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee—are reporting flu rates not normally …

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